Architrave Support and Architrave Relating Thereto

ABSTRACT

An architrave support for supporting one or more sections comprises a plurality of planar portions and preferably a base support which together form a preferably self supporting arch-like shaped architrave support. Each planar portion has a pair of opposite oblique ends abutting another said planar portion or the base support. The plurality of planar portions are in series, preferably mitred, at their oblique ends to form the arch-like shaped architrave support. The support may be preformed or in a kit, either together with or separately to corresponding architrave portions for attachment thereto to form an architrave. The support is useful for forming architrave arches above doorways or windows.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to architrave supports and in particular to arch-shaped architrave supports and architraves for use above doorways, hallway entrances, windows and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Arches can be used above internal or external doorways or windows to create a different aesthetic appeal compared with doorways having a straight section thereabove. Arches may be used above doorways in several ways. For example, the door may be rounded at its top having a complementary shape to the shape of the arch. Alternatively, where the door has a straight top, the space between the arch and the top of the door may be empty, or used to hold a single-piece glass panel, a multiple-piece stained glass feature, a wooden feature, and so on. Such arches tend to be either formed from plywood bent and formed into an arch shape or from metal such as mild steel or aluminium formed into an arch shape.

Where doorways or windows have architraves thereabout, the above described arches may be used to support curved sections of architrave, usually four equal curved sections, around the arch. The curved sections complement the shape of the arch and are glued or otherwise fixed to the arch. The curved sections are joined in series on the arch to form an arch-shaped architrave.

It is an object of at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the deficiencies of the prior art, or at least to provide a suitable alternative thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an architrave support for supporting one or more sections, the support comprising a plurality of planar portions, each planar portion having at least one oblique end abutting another said planar portion, the plurality of planar portions being in series end to end to form an arch.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an architrave comprising the architrave support of the above aspect and a plurality of linear architrave sections, wherein the architrave sections are attached to architrave faces of the planar portions, the architrave faces being between the pair of said ends, such that the architrave sections form a continuous curve-like architrave with the architrave support.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for forming an architrave support for supporting one or more sections, the kit comprising: a base support; and a plurality of planar portions, each planar portion having at least one oblique end for abutting another said planar portion or the base support to form an arch.

Preferably each oblique end abuts a corresponding end of the other said planar portion, the plurality of planar portions being connected in series by the abutted ends to form a self supporting arch.

Preferably each oblique end is fixable to the planar portion against which it abuts to render the arch self supporting.

Preferably each abutting end comprises a connection portion, each connection portion being mutually engagable with a corresponding connection portion of the planar portion against which it abuts thereby to render the arch self supporting.

Preferably each connection portion is configured for forming a mitre joint with the corresponding connection portion thereby to render the arch self supporting.

Preferably the planar portions are equal in size and shape.

Preferably the support comprises a base support for supporting ends of the architrave support.

Preferably there are six to fourteen planar portions, more preferably nine to eleven planar portions and more preferably ten planar portions. Preferably the at least one oblique end is formed at an angle normal to the plane of the planar portions of 8° to 15°, and more preferably 9°. The ends of respective planar portions may be mitred end to end to form the arch. Preferably they may be joined end to end by glue or other fastening means to form the arch.

Preferably the support comprises a plurality of linear said sections each attached to an architrave face of a respective said planar portion, the architrave face being adjacent the at least one oblique end. Alternatively, each said section comprises an architrave and adjacent the at least one oblique end, and the support comprises a plurality of linear said sections attached to the architrave faces of one or more of the planar portions.

Preferably each planar portion comprises two oblique opposite ends.

Preferably the number of architrave sections is the same as the number of planar portions.

The kit aspect of the invention preferably comprises a plurality of linear architrave sections for attachment to an architrave end of a respective planar portion, the architrave end being between the pair of connection ends.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a load-bearing support for use above a doorway or window comprising a plurality of planar portions, each planar portion having at least one oblique end abutting another said planar portion, the plurality of planar portions being in series end to end to form an arch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of an arch according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the arch illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a planar portion for use with the arch illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the planar portion illustrated in FIG. 3, denoted by circle 4; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the arch illustrated in FIG. 1, with several architrave sections attached thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, a preferred embodiment of present invention is a support or architrave support in the form of an arch 10 for supporting one or more architrave sections 12. The arch comprises ten planar portions 14, each having a pair of opposite oblique connection ends 16, each for connecting to an oblique end of another planar portion 16 or to a base support 18. The planar portions 14 are connected in series at their oblique connection ends 16 to each other to form the arch 10.

It will be appreciated from the drawings that the term ‘oblique end’ refers to an end which is inclined non-perpendicularly relative to a planar surface of the planar portion.

Thus, the circumferential surface of the arch 10 comprises a series of flat surfaces, rather than a continuous curve. Whilst curved portions could be used instead of the planar portions to provide a curved surface, the use of planar portions provides additional simplicity.

Each of the planar portions 14 are equal to each other in size and shape, each in the form of a trapezoidal prism. Preferably, the planar portions 14 are cut from a straight wooden plank to have an angle α of 9° normal to the plane of the wooden plank, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Each planar portion is thus configured for forming an arch having a radial thickness and an axial width, wherein the radial thickness is less than the axial width.

In the present embodiment, the planar portions 14 are joined in series by glue or otherwise attached mitre joints to form the arch 10, however may be joined by any other suitable joints such as a half mitre, a corner halving and so on.

By joining the planar portions 14 at their oblique connection ends 16 the resulting arch 10 is self supporting and does not require any additional features to assist it maintain its shape. For example, the arch shape may be constructed without the need for additional rigid preformed arch shaped frames such as aluminium or UPVc arch shaped preforms.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the arch is adapted to support architrave sections 12 on an architrave face, or end 20 of each of the planar portions 14. FIG. 5 illustrates the arch having five architrave sections 12 thereon, however in use each planar portion 14 would preferably have a separate architrave section 12 attached thereto to complete an architrave along the arch 10. While it is preferred that the number of architrave sections 12 correspond to the number of planar portions, it is not essential. For example, there may be fewer or more architrave sections 12 than planar portions 14.

In a preferred use of the invention, the arch 10 is preformed and made available in a range of widths to complement a variety of door frame and window widths. The arch 10 may be load bearing, but it is not essential to be so. A skilled person can then purchase an arch of choice, and a length or lengths of desired architrave boards. The skilled person would install the arch 10, for example above a door frame, and cut equally sized architrave sections 12 to attach to corresponding planar portions 14 of the arch 10. Two door jamb lengths of the same architrave board would then be cut to a predetermined length to be attached to respective side door jambs. The two door jamb lengths of architrave would then be attached to their respective side door jambs and the architrave sections 12 attached to their respective planar portions 14 of the arch 10.

In another preferred use of the invention, the arch is made available in kit form of a predetermined number of planar portions 14 for joining together to form the arch 10. In alternative embodiments of the kit, the base support 18 either is or is not part of the kit.

The preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the arch 10 being formed from ten equally sized planar portions 14 such that the arch 10 is substantially semicircular. In alternative arrangements, the arch is formed from planar portions having different respective predetermined angles at their oblique connection ends, such that the height of the arch is either less than or greater than the width of the arch. For example, the angles may range from 8° to 15°. In other alternative embodiments, the lengths of the respective planar portions for forming the arch may be different, and/or the number of planar portions for forming the arch may range from six planar portions to fourteen planar portions. In the latter embodiment, the planar portions making up the arch may be equally sized, in which case the angle of the oblique ends is adapted accordingly.

While the material of the preferred embodiments is described as wooden planks, it will be understood that they are not limited to this material. Suitable material may include plywood; laminated or non-laminated chipboard; suitable metals; plastic board, such as high density polyethylene; plasterboard; preformed plaster; etc. Also, the material used to form the arch 10 need not be the same material used to form the architrave sections 12.

The preferred embodiments have clear advantages over the above described prior art, in that the arch conveniently allows for the attachment thereto of architrave sections 12 cut from a straight plank or length of architrave or similar board to obtain an arch effect. Comparable prior art arches are pre-cut in a circular shape which is more expensive to produce and more restrictive in terms of outcome compared with the embodiments described herein.

While the invention has been described in reference to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description rather than limitation and that changes may be made to the invention without departing from its scope as defined by the appended claims. 

1. An architrave support for supporting one or more sections, the support comprising a plurality of planar portions, each planar portion having at least one oblique end abutting another said planar portion, the plurality of planar portions being in series end to end to form an arch.
 2. The support of claim 1 wherein each oblique end abuts a corresponding end of said other said planar portion, the plurality of planar portions being connected in series by the abutted ends to form a self supporting arch.
 3. The support of claim 2 wherein each abutting end comprises a connection portion, each connection portion being mutually engagable with a corresponding connection portion of the planar portion against which it abuts thereby to render the arch self supporting.
 4. The support of claim 3 wherein each connection portion is configured for forming a mitre joint with the corresponding connection portion thereby to render the arch self supporting.
 5. The support of claim 2 wherein each abutting end is fixable by adhesive to the planar portion against which it abuts thereby to render the arch self supporting.
 6. The support of claim 1 wherein the planar portions are equal in size and shape.
 7. The support of claim 1 comprising a base support for supporting ends of the architrave support.
 8. The support of claim 1 comprising six to fourteen planar portions.
 9. The support of claim 1 comprising nine to eleven planar portions.
 10. The support of claim 1 comprising ten planar portions.
 11. The support of claim 1 wherein the at least one oblique end is formed at an angle normal to the plane of the planar portions of 8° to 15°.
 12. The support of claim 1 wherein the at least one oblique end is formed at an angle normal to the plane of the planar portions of 9°.
 13. The support of claim 1 wherein the ends of respective planar portions are mitred end to end to form the arch.
 14. The support of claim 1 wherein the oblique ends of respective planar portions are joined end to end by glue or other fastening means to form the arch.
 15. The support of claim 1 comprising a plurality of linear said sections each attached to an architrave end of a respective said planar portion, the architrave end being adjacent the at least one oblique end.
 16. The support of claim 1 wherein each said section comprises an architrave face adjacent the at least one oblique end, and the support comprises a plurality of linear said sections attached to the architrave faces of one or more of the planar portions.
 17. The support of claim 1 wherein each planar portion comprises two oblique opposite ends.
 18. The support of claim 1 wherein the planar portions are wooden.
 19. The support of claim 1 being a load-bearing support.
 20. An architrave comprising the architrave support of claim 1 and a plurality of linear architrave sections, wherein the architrave sections are attached to architrave faces of the planar portions, the architrave faces being between the pair of said ends, such that the architrave sections form a continuous curve-like architrave with the architrave support.
 21. The architrave of claim 20 wherein the number of architrave sections is the same as the number of planar portions.
 22. A kit of parts for forming an architrave support for supporting one or more sections, the kit comprising: a base support; and a plurality of planar portions, each planar portion having at least one oblique end for abutting another said planar portion or the base support to form an arch.
 23. The kit of claim 22 comprising a plurality of linear architrave sections for attachment to an architrave face of a respective planar portion, the architrave face being between respective connection ends of said planar portion.
 24. An architrave support or an architrave substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 